London's best American whiskeys
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Poor Scotland. Soon after the most ardent nationalists were denied independence, its national spirit was crushed by esteemed whisky writer Jim Murray in his 2015 Whisky Bible (Dram Good Books). He awarded top prize to a Japanese whisky (Yamazaki 2013 Sherry Cask) and also reckons America has now overtaken the “drab drams” of Scotland.
W. L. Weller
Murray rates Buffalo Trace in Kentucky as the best distillery in the world. Regular BT is a bargain (£18 in Asda!) but the small-batch W. L. Weller, from the Antique Selection, is just divine if you can stretch.
(700ml, £139, gerrys.uk.com)
Balcones Baby Blue Corn
Distilled in Waco, Texas, Baby Blue is made from blue corn, which gives it a lovely nutty twang — it’s a great example of American innovation.
(700ml, £55.45, whiskyexchange.com)
Rittenhouse Rye 100 Proof
The cocktail renaissance has helped bring American whiskeys to the fore — no bottle is more prized among bartenders than peppery Rittenhouse for their Manhattans.
(700ml, £36.50, gerrys.uk.com)
Four Roses Single Barrel
A sweeter bourbon, soft and becoming with winter spice. Slips down too easily.
(700ml, £39.70, masterofmalt.com)
Hudson Manhattan
What gin is to London, whiskey is to New York. Distilling is returning to the Big Apple too — this is the first to be made there since Prohibition.
(350ml, £51.99, Selfridges.com)
Gifts for boozers - in pictures
